St John's Church of England Primary School

BELZ Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

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144550 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool Inspector

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96-98 Clapton Common, London, E5 9AL Setting Address

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E-mail

The Committee of Belz Nursery School Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Belz Day Nursery is based in the Belz Community Centre in the Clapton Common area within the London borough of Hackney. The provision is available to boys from the local Orthodox Jewish community. The nursery is open each week day from 09.30 to 15.00 Monday to Thursday and 09.30 to 12.00 on Fridays. The nursery is also open on Sundays from 10.00 to 15.00. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 64 boys aged from three to under five years on roll. The boys come from local and wider catchment areas and all currently attends full time hours.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs 16 members of staff. Of these, the senior member of staff is qualified to teacher status and holds an appropriate early years qualifications. A number of staff are working towards a qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Boys play in a clean environment. Their health is appropriately supported through established daily routines such as wiping down table top surface before snacks and lunch and regularly checking the toilet areas. Boys stay healthy because the staff encourages them to learn the importance of good personal hygiene such as the washing of hands before and after meals. There are suitable systems in place for dealing with sick children. This helps to reduce the risks of the spread of germs. Boys can receive appropriate care in the event of sustaining minor injuries because some staff have knowledge of first aid and hold valid first aid training certificates.

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Helping children to be healthy

Boys are nourished as they are provided with ready made meals brought in from home. This ensures that their individual dietary requirements are met. Boys are learning about the benefits of healthy eating as they are provided with fresh fruits each day. Fresh drinking water is available at all times. Boys have regular opportunities to play outdoors. They use a range of equipment, including a giant ball and parachute, space hoppers, tricycles, rockers and balls and bats. Boys also have access to play equipment indoors, and this includes a ball pool and a trampoline. All of which helps boys to practise and develop physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Boys benefit from being cared for in a secure environment, where systems are in place to monitor visitors on the premises. They have ample space to work and play and rooms are divided up to ensure that children are grouped appropriately according to the numbers attending and the activities provided. Many of the boys are brought in by minibus each day and staff assists in helping off the transport and into the setting. There are clear procedures in place for outings and non-collection of children. A range of play resources are available and accessible to children. All are in good condition; conform to safety standards and are age appropriate. Boys have safe and easy access to role-play equipment, books and toys that are stored in low level labelled storage units.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular risk assessments indoors help to reduce the risks of potential hazards to children. For example, electrical sockets and toxic materials are out of boys reach and the availability of a range of storage facilities reduces the risks of trip hazards and ensures that resources are stored safely. In spite of these safety measures, potential hazards have been identified in the outdoor play area. For example, there are missing floor tiles that can cause trip hazards, splinters on wooden play equipment and a wide gap between the ground to the base of the railings, which leads to the lower ground floor level. All fire safety equipment is well maintained and exit routes are clearly labelled and free from obstruction. Boys and staff regularly practise the fire drill to ensure that all are familiar with the procedures for emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures for protecting children from harm. This is because the manager ensures that guidelines are in place for staff to follow. As a result, the boys' wellbeing is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Boys are happy and enjoy their time at the setting. They are developing confidence and assurance through the support and positive interaction they receive from staff. For example, boys are shown how to hold an iron and fold shirts in the role play area. They readily approach a wide range of toys and activities that are set out for them each day. Boys show interests in the activities that are available and they can choose from other toys that are easily accessible. There are suitable activities to support boys in mark making and developing early writing skills through the accessibility to writing materials, tools and stencils. Boys demonstrate good book handling skills; they enjoy looking at books independently and listening to stories in a group situation. Boys are developing early reading skills through the many labels and posters that are on display throughout the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Boys experiment with water and sand play. Staff ask questions to extend and support boys in their learning. For example, boys observe and describe how fast water flows from the funnel and they explore and describe the texture of sand. They are able to see numbers and alphabet frieze on a wall display, written in Hebrew and English. Boys have opportunities to develop their counting skills in other areas of play and in practical routines. When playing in the ball pool, they are encouraged to collect and count the numbers of balls they put in the trays. Boys have good opportunities to develop their creative skills through painting activities, arts and crafts and play dough. They have access to a well stocked role-play area where they act out real life experiences such as ironing clothes and making tea. The boys become familiar with the local environment as they are taken out on trips to visit local shops to buy fresh fruits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Boys learn about their own culture and traditions by looking at the bible and listening to bible stories. They have some opportunities to learn about other cultures as the circle time session is used appropriately to help boys learn about differences and similarities of cultures and to develop good harmonious practices. Posters, books and some play resources reflect positive images of race and culture, which reinforces their knowledge and understanding of diversity. The language spoken by staff and the boys is predominately in Yiddish. Some English is encouraged when boys are encouraged to name the farm animals during play with small animal figures. Boys are well behaved and they relate well to each other and the staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff treat boys as individuals, acknowledging their different abilities and needs. There are appropriate systems in place to support boys with learning difficulties or physical disabilities. Relevant information is gathered before boys are admitted in the setting. This ensures that they receive appropriate care. Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress as weekly feedback sheets are sent home; information packs containing policies and procedures are readily accessible and suggestion forms for them to make comments are available. In spite of the useful communication methods that are in place, accident records show that parents are not asked to sign their child's accident record. In addition to this, there are no systems in place to ensure that parents who do not collect their children from the setting are kept informed of accidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The management of the setting failed to notify Ofsted of a significant change, namely a change in manager. This was raised and pointed out at the inspection, that it is a breach of regulation. The setting responded positively and is taking immediate steps to rectify the circumstances in order to comply with the regulations. No further action will be taken on this occasion because the manager is already known to the children and has been appropriately vetted. Overall, there are reasonable recruitment procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to be in contact and work with children. The management team encourages staff to undertake training and an action plan is in place to address staff qualifications.

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Organisation

Boys are kept secure and reasonably safe. The layout of the environment and the organisation of resources allow them ample space to move freely and become independent. Boy's health is maintained through daily routines and the procedures for dealing with sickness, injuries and promoting personal hygiene. Boys are provided with a good range of activities each day to support their development. Staff's positive interaction with the boys helps to support and extend their learning. All mandatory records for the health and welfare of the boys are in place and appropriately maintained. Although fire drill records indicate the length of time taken to evacuate the premises, the actual times of the fire drills are not recorded to confirm that practices are conducted at varied times. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the setting was asked to develop and implement an action plan that sets out how supervisors will achieve a recognised qualification to level 3. They were also asked to devise and implement a sick children policy, ensure that activities and resources promote

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Improvements since the last inspection

anti-discriminatory practices and identify possible hazards and make safe or inaccessible to the boys.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One of the senior staff members now holds relevant childcare qualifications; this will help to monitor and improve the quality of care and learning to the boys. There are written procedures for dealing with sick children, ensuring that the spread of infection is minimised. Boys have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that reflect positive images of race and culture. This helps to develop the boy's understanding of diversity. Staff carries out regular risk assessments in doors and as a result of this, the boys are kept reasonably safe. However, the outdoor play area has been overlooked and safety has not been fully addressed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • risk assess the garden and make safe for children • make sure that there are systems in place for parents to countersign each entry of their child's accident record • maintain fire drill records with all the required details including the times of the fire drill practises.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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